Brazil to make 20 aircraft for Afghan air force

WASHINGTON (PAN): The United States on Wednesday announced a Brazilian firm would supply 20 aircraft to the fledging Afghan air force months before the scheduled 2014 completion of security transition.

The US Air Force has decided to award Sierra Nevada/Embraer a $427 million contract to provide light air support aircraft and associated maintenance and training for the Afghan Air Force, a Pentagon official said. Press Secretary George Little told journalists Deputy US Defense Secretary Ash Carter called Brazilian Minister of Defence Celso Amorim to inform him about the decision. “Under this contract, 20 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to operational air bases in Afghanistan beginning in the summer of 2014 to conduct advanced flight training, surveillance, close air support and air interdiction missions,” Little said. The platform was critical to providing enabling support to the Afghan National Security Forces as part of America’s enduring support to the country following the completion of the ISAF mission at the end of 2014, Little said. mud